Are we aware of the fact that cancer is the second leading cause of deaths in Indian population after cardio vascular diseases? Cancer shares various familiar risk factors with other several non-communicable diseases like diabetes. According to the survey, it has been observed that India is the world’s largest contributor to cancer deaths as over six lakhs people die due to cancer every year.

Among all the cancer disease, cervical cancer is the one of most common cancer found in Indian women aged between 15 to 45 years. According to a research it has been observed that, In India one woman dies due to cervical cancer in every 8 minutes.

So to make people and especially women more aware about this disease along with its preventive measure, 22nd Jan- 28th Jan is celebrated as World Cervical Cancer Prevention Week all across the world. The day will focus on encouraging women to step ahead and go for PAP smear test as the test is successful in preventing 75% of cervical cancer from developing. Every year the week is followed by a specific theme and this year the theme for the week is “Reduce Your Risk.”

WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER?

To get the knowledge of cervical cancer, we first have to understand that the cervix connects to the uterus and the vagina. Cervical cancer has a subtle commencement which starts as dysplasia and can reach up to the bladder, intestines, lungs and liver. In many scenarios it can be severe and incurable.

If you don’t know the fact let me update you that the cervical cancer is different from rest of the cancers and if diagnosed early it is treatable and easily preventable.

There are various risk factors which contribute to cervical cancer such as HPV infection, sex with multiple partners, and early age of intercourse, consumption of birth control pills, smoking and a weak immune system.

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL CANCER:

There are no such symptoms for women living with early cervical cancer or pre-cancer. Until and unless the cancer doesn’t become invasive and grows into nearby tissues the symptoms are not visible. When this happens, these are some of the following symptoms:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding like bleeding after sex, bleeding after menopause, bleeding and spotting in-between the periods, longer and heavier periods than usual.

Unusual discharge from vagina- there might be the possibility that the discharge may contain some blood and may happen after menopause or in between the periods.

Pain during sex

If you encounter any of these symptoms kindly visit your doctor for further medical examinations and medications.

CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING:

Cervical cancer screening is one of the best and quickest way to detect any issues at the earliest and if found the treatment can be arranged. This screening can save lives of many women, so it is strongly recommended to all the females to go for regular smear tests. Below are the following guidelines for smear test:

Sexually active women aged 21 years or more should get smear test done after every 3 years.

Women who are aged between 30-65 years should preferably go for hybrid test which includes both (Pap smear+ HPV test), on a repeat of every 5 year.

Women who have underwent HPV vaccine need to get Pap smear test done.

If anyone is living with cervical cancer and its get detected, then X-rays, PET scans and MRI’s scan helps in determining the stage of cervical cancer. These cancerous cells are removed by surgery or biopsy if gets detected at an early stage. There are various cases in which hysterectomy is done when the cancer has spread throughout the body.

So on this world cervical cancer prevention week we aim that not a single woman has to suffer from cervical cancer. By educating and spreading the awareness about the early detection of the disease, we can definitely decrease down the number of deaths caused by this disease.

Metro Group of Hospitals(Best Hospital in India) holds a vast and successful experience in handling and treating cervical cancer cases. Our team especially Gynae Onocologists and the available infrastructure has made us a preferred hospital for this disease.